Ashes to ashes in Nairobi

Kenya has a bit of a mixed cricket scene. At times in the past the national side has played to a pretty high standard but rugby has taken over the and seems to get the press and donor attention. There are still a fair few clubs around Nairobi for folk interested in playing. All are slightly faded and there's a sense that clubs are formed around ethnic groupings rather than a true mix of local talent which, to be fair, is a bit like the cricket club scene in SW London. But Tim has hooked up with a few people in different clubs and gets the occasional game when diaries allow. We are looking forward to being part of a charity match against the Maasai cricket warriors some time in September. The kids' school raised money for this group last year and I'm being challenged by the boys to set up a juniors match at the same time. That really will make me a cricket mum!

Finding good youth cricket opportunities outside school hasn't been that easy. The best, a really friendly club run by former Kenyan International cricketers and very local to us, was a bit shambolic when we pitched up 18 months ago. But its grown since then and our kids have also got to know some cricket lovers locally so know far more people there and enjoy it more. They have also seen that you don't need all the gear to be able to whack a ball around effectively or to bowl at pace. So whilst they are keen for a bout of cricket in England's green fields this summer, they are equally happy playing with friends on a dusty football pitch with their own ball and shared bats. And with the school holidays underway there has been plenty of that.

Both boys have been doing cricket training to help keep them occupied and exercised and to get ready for next term's sporting endeavours. We have sorted through cricket kit bags that have been living under the stairs for a few months - my lingering doubts about the origins of some unpleasant smells from said kit bags were answered when it turned out the cat really did wee in them when she got locked in the house one weekend. Probably did everyone a favour putting all the trainers through the wash too though!

The boys take their sport seriously and play endless ball games in the garden, roping in our guard when they can particularly if a ladder is needed to fish balls off roofs and out of hedges.

But they are very clear that each sport has its season (even if seasons other than rainy and dry aren't really a feature of the Kenyan year). Last term was rugby and football so that dominated early evenings and weekends outside. And its only now, helped by the excitement of the ashes and an excuse to watch lots of telly with dad, that cricket has come to the fore again. Tim spent last weekend hanging up the netting we've got to save our windows, one of which still has a taped hole from a previous errant cricket ball. And Matthew, who shares, if in a less compliant manner, Stuart Broad's approach in waiting to be told he's out, is covered in bruises from Jamie's body line bowling. Katie is keen not to miss out and has decided that bowling is the safest option if she is going to play with her brothers. She was so pleased to get Matthew out in her first over the other day - even Matthew smiled, whilst of course explaining that her run up brought her too close.......


Anne